ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II Intel Z790 (LGA 1700) ATX Motherboard with

The ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II is an ATX motherboard built around the Intel Z790 chipset and LGA 1700 socket. It serves builders looking to assemble a modern desktop with 12th, 13th, or 14th Generation Intel Core processors, as well as compatible Pentium Gold and Celeron options. The board handles system stability through a 12+1 DrMOS power solution, a 6-layer printed circuit board, ProCool connectors, alloy chokes, and durable capacitors.

For performance hardware, this motherboard supports DDR5 memory paired with ASUS OptiMem II and ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile II (AEMP II) memory tuning technologies. High-speed expansion is anchored by a primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for modern graphics cards, alongside PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for solid-state storage. External devices can be attached using rear and front-panel USB 10Gbps Type-C ports, standard Type-A ports, and a dedicated Thunderbolt (USB4) header for compatible expansion cards.

Thermal management is built across the board to maintain reliable operation under heavy system loads. It features large VRM heatsinks, dedicated M.2 heatsinks, and a PCH heatsink to passively cool critical components. System builders can manage active airflow using the hybrid fan headers controlled through Fan Xpert 4 and AI Cooling II software.

While the board features modern connectivity like Wi-Fi 6 and a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot, high-speed storage is limited to PCIe 4.0 M.2 lanes rather than PCIe 5.0. Additionally, utilizing Thunderbolt functionality requires connecting hardware to the onboard header rather than using built-in rear Thunderbolt ports.

Verdict: This ATX motherboard is a solid foundation for builders pairing a 12th to 14th Gen Intel processor with DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 graphics. It is well-suited for anyone wanting integrated Wi-Fi 6 and solid onboard cooling without unnecessary complexity.

• Socket: Intel LGA 1700
• Form Factor: ATX
• Memory Support: DDR5
• Power Stages: 12+1 DrMOS with 6-layer PCB
• Primary Expansion: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
• Storage Interfaces: PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots
• Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6
• USB Ports: Rear USB 10Gbps Type-C and Type-A, front panel USB 10Gbps Type-C
• Cooling Features: VRM, M.2, and PCH heatsinks, hybrid fan headers

A great fit if you:

• Plan to build an Intel system using a 12th, 13th, or 14th Gen processor.
• Want DDR5 system memory and PCIe 5.0 graphics card support.
• Need built-in Wi-Fi 6 without installing separate networking cards.
• Value dedicated heatsinks over power components and M.2 drives.

Consider something else if you:

• Need native PCIe 5.0 speed on your M.2 solid-state drives.
• Require built-in rear Thunderbolt ports rather than an internal header.
• Are building a compact system that requires a smaller microATX or mini-ITX form factor.

Which processors work with this motherboard?
The LGA 1700 socket supports Intel Core 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen processors, along with Intel Pentium Gold and Celeron processors.

Does this board support DDR4 or DDR5 RAM?
This model supports DDR5 memory and includes ASUS OptiMem II and ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile II (AEMP II) technologies.

What type of wireless networking is built into the board?
The motherboard comes with integrated Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

Does it have USB Type-C ports?
Yes, it features both a rear USB 10Gbps Type-C port and a front panel USB 10Gbps Type-C connection.